Computational systems and methods for locating a mobile device

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are described relating to accepting a mobile device location query using digital signal processing and presenting an indication of location of the mobile device at least partially based on receiving the location query. Additionally, systems and methods are described relating to means for accepting a mobile device location query using digital signal processing and means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile device at least partially based on receiving the location query.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This description relates to identifying the location of a mobile device.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a method includes but is not limited to accepting amobile device location query using digital signal processing andpresenting an indication of location of the mobile device at leastpartially based on receiving the location query. In addition to theforegoing, other apparatus aspects are described in the claims,drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In one or more various aspects, related systems include but are notlimited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting the hereinreferenced method aspects; the circuitry and/or programming can bevirtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmwareconfigured to effect the herein referenced method aspects depending uponthe design choices of the system designer.

In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to means foraccepting a mobile device location query using digital signal processingand means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile deviceat least partially based on receiving the location query. In addition tothe foregoing, other apparatus aspects are described in the claims,drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to circuitry foraccepting a mobile device location query using digital signal processingand circuitry for presenting an indication of location of the mobiledevice at least partially based on receiving the location query. Inaddition to the foregoing, other apparatus aspects are described in theclaims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In one aspect, a computer program product includes but is not limited toa signal-bearing medium bearing one or more instructions for accepting amobile device location query using digital signal processing and one ormore instructions for presenting an indication of location of the mobiledevice at least partially based on receiving the location query. Inaddition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in theclaims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to a computingdevice and instructions that when executed on the computing device causethe computing device to accept a mobile device location query usingdigital signal processing and present an indication of location of themobile device at least partially based on receiving the location query.In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in theclaims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

The foregoing is a summary and thus may contain simplifications,generalizations, inclusions, and/or omissions of detail; consequently,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary isillustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any way limiting. Otheraspects, features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes and/orother subject matter described herein will become apparent in theteachings set forth herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a mobile device location system inwhich embodiments may be implemented, perhaps in a device and/or througha network, which may serve as a context for introducing one or moreprocesses and/or devices described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an operational flow representingexample operations related to mobile device location, which may serve asa context for introducing one or more processes and/or devices describedherein.

FIG. 6 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the healthservices planning and matching system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the healthservices planning and matching system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the healthservices planning and matching system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the healthservices planning and matching system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the healthservices planning and matching system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the healthservices planning and matching system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the healthservices planning and matching system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 13 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the healthservices planning and matching system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 14 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the healthservices planning and matching system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 15 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the healthservices planning and matching system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 16 illustrates a partial view of an example article of manufactureincluding a computer program product that includes a computer programfor executing a computer process on a computing device related to mobiledevice location, which may serve as a context for introducing one ormore processes and/or devices described herein.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example device in which embodiments may beimplemented related to mobile device location, which may serve as acontext for introducing one or more processes and/or devices describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented here.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 in which embodiments may beimplemented. The system 100 includes a device 102. The device 102 maycontain, for example, accepter module 110, presenter module 120, and/ordigital signal processor 130. User 199 may interact directly or througha user interface with device 102. Additionally, device 102 maycommunicate with third party 190.

FIG. 2 further illustrates an example system 100 in which embodimentsmay be implemented. The system 100 includes a device 102. The device 102may contain, for example, sensor 104, accepter module 110, presentermodule 120, digital signal processor 130, timer 160, sound unit 170,vibration unit 180, and visible signal presentation unit 190. Further,digital signal processor 130 may include, for example, speech signal 132and/or voice user interface 134. The device 102 may communicate over anetwork or directly with remote accepter module 140 and/or remotepresenter unit 150. User 199 may interact directly or through a userinterface with device 102. Device 102 may communicate with third party190, which may include phone locator service 192, phone service provider194, and/or mobile device 196, and/or wireless communication link 198.

In FIG. 2, the device 102 is illustrated as possibly being includedwithin a system 100. Of course, virtually any kind of computing devicemay be used to implement the sensor 104, accepter module 110, and/orpresenter module 120, such as, for example, a programmed workstation, aprogrammed desktop computer, a programmed networked computer, aprogrammed server, a collection of programmed servers and/or databases,a programmed virtual machine running inside a computing device, aprogrammed mobile computing device, or a programmed tablet PC.

Additionally, not all of the sensor 104, accepter module 110, and/orpresenter module 120 need be implemented on a single computing device.For example, the sensor 104, accepter module 110, and/or presentermodule 120 may be implemented and/or operable on a remote computer,while a user interface and/or local instance of the sensor 104, acceptermodule 110, and/or presenter module 120 are implemented and/or occur ona local computer. Further, aspects of the sensor 104, accepter module110, and/or presenter module 120 may be implemented in differentcombinations and implementations than that shown in FIG. 1. For example,functionality of a user interface may be incorporated into the sensor104, accepter module 110, and/or presenter module 120. The sensor 104,accepter module 110, and/or presenter module 120 may perform simple datarelay functions and/or complex data analysis, including, for example,fuzzy logic and/or traditional logic steps. Further, many methods ofsearching health care and/or service provider databases known in the artmay be used, including, for example, unsupervised pattern discoverymethods, coincidence detection methods, and/or entity relationshipmodeling. In some embodiments, the sensor 104, accepter module 110,and/or presenter module 120 may process user input data according tohealth care options and/or service provider information available asupdates through a network.

Accepter module 110 and/or presenter module 120 may access data storedin virtually any type of memory that is able to store and/or provideaccess to information in, for example, a one-to-many, many-to-one,and/or many-to-many relationship. Such a memory may include, forexample, a relational database and/or an object-oriented database,examples of which are provided in more detail herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates device 102, which may further include accepter module110 and presenter module 120. Accepter module 110 may include soundquery accepter module 302, text accepter module 308, computer acceptermodule 310, elapsed time accepter module 312, application terminatormodule 314, device accepter module 320, utilizer module 322, timeinterval accepter module 330, and/or location query accepter module 336.Sound query accepter module 302 may include voice query accepter module304 and/or artificial query accepter module 306. Application terminatormodule 314 may include program terminator module 316 and/or linkterminator module 318. Utilizer module 322 may include hibernation modeaccepter module 324, partial hibernation mode accepter module 326,and/or detector module 328. Time interval accepter module 330 mayinclude sound interval accepter module 332 and/or voice intervalaccepter module 334. Location query accepter module 336 may includespeech recognition accepter module 338, voice recognition acceptermodule 340, and/or voice user interface 342.

FIG. 4 illustrates device 102, which may further include accepter module110 and/or presenter module 120. Presenter module 120 may include soundpresenter module 402, vibration presenter module 408, visible signalpresenter module 410, third party presenter module 414, and/or remotepresenter module 418. Sound presenter module 402 may includecomputer-created presenter module 404. Computer-created presenter module404 may include voice presenter module 406. Visible signal presentermodule 410 may include light presenter module 412. Third party presentermodule 414 may include service presenter module 416.

Many examples of databases and database structures may be used inconnection with the accepter module 110 and/or presenter module 120.Such examples include hierarchical models (in which data is organized ina tree and/or parent-child node structure), network models (based on settheory, and in which multi-parent structures per child node aresupported), or object/relational models (combining the relational modelwith the object-oriented model).

Still other examples include various types of eXtensible Mark-upLanguage (XML) databases. For example, a database may be included thatholds data in some format other than XML, but that is associated with anXML interface for accessing the database using XML. As another example,a database may store XML data directly. Additionally, or alternatively,virtually any semi-structured database may be used, so that context maybe provided to/associated with stored data elements (either encoded withthe data elements, or encoded externally to the data elements), so thatdata storage and/or access may be facilitated.

Such databases, and/or other memory storage techniques, may be writtenand/or implemented using various programming or coding languages. Forexample, object-oriented database management systems may be written inprogramming languages such as, for example, C++ or Java. Relationaland/or object/relational models may make use of database languages, suchas, for example, the structured query language (SQL), which may be used,for example, for interactive queries for information and/or forgathering and/or compiling data from the relational database(s). Forexample, SQL or SQL-like operations over one or more reference healthattribute and/or reference service provider may be performed, or Booleanoperations using a reference health attribute and/or reference serviceprovider may be performed.

Following are a series of flowcharts depicting implementations. For easeof understanding, the flowcharts are organized such that the initialflowcharts present implementations via an example implementation andthereafter the following flowcharts present alternate implementationsand/or expansions of the initial flowchart(s) as either sub-componentoperations or additional component operations building on one or moreearlier-presented flowcharts. Those having skill in the art willappreciate that the style of presentation used herein (e.g., beginningwith a presentation of a flowchart presenting an example implementationand thereafter providing additions to and/or further details insubsequent flowcharts) generally allows for a rapid and easyunderstanding of the various process implementations. In addition, thoseskilled in the art will further appreciate that the style ofpresentation used herein also lends itself well to modular and/orobject-oriented program design paradigms.

FIG. 5 illustrates an operational flow 500 representing exampleoperations related to accepting a mobile device location query usingdigital signal processing and presenting an indication of location ofthe mobile device at least partially based on receiving the locationquery. In FIG. 5 and in following figures that include various examplesof operational flows, discussion and explanation may be provided withrespect to the above-described examples of FIGS. 1 through 4, and/orwith respect to other examples and contexts. However, it should beunderstood that the operational flows may be executed in a number ofother environments and contexts, and/or in modified versions of FIGS. 1through 4. Also, although the various operational flows are presented inthe sequence(s) illustrated, it should be understood that the variousoperations may be performed in other orders than those which areillustrated, or may be performed concurrently.

After a start operation, the operational flow 500 moves to an operation510. Operation 510 depicts accepting a mobile device location queryusing digital signal processing. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 4, the accepter module 110 can accept a mobile device locationquery using digital signal processing. In an embodiment, accepter module110 can accept a mobile device location query in the form of anindividual speaking the words, “Phone, where are you?” using digitalsignal processing. Some examples of a location query may includehuman-made sounds, such as a voice or a hand clap, or computer createdsounds, such as dual-tone multi-frequency signaling (DTMF) and the useof a DTMF keypad to create a specific sequence of sound frequencies, forexample. In an embodiment, accepter module 110 may accept a mobiledevice location query in the form of a series of four signal tonescreated using dual-tone multi-frequency signaling. In this embodiment,accepter module 110 may include a analog-to-digital converter.Additionally, the mobile device may include a device and/or programmingto conserve battery power after detecting inactivity after apredetermined period of time.

Digital signal processing may include the representation of discretetime signals by a sequence of numbers or symbols and the processing ofthese signals. Some examples of digital signal processing may includeaudio or speech signal processing, sonar and radar signal processing,sensor array processing, spectral estimation, statistical signalprocessing, digital image processing, signal processing forcommunications, control of systems, and/or biomedical signal processing.Digital signal processing may include converting the signal(s) from ananalog to a digital form, by sampling and then digitizing it using ananalog-to-digital converter (ADC), which turns the analog signal into astream of numbers. Sometimes, the required output signal is anotheranalog output signal, which requires a digital-to-analog converter(DAC). device 100 and/or accepter module 110 may include ananalog-to-digital converter (ADC) and/or a digital-to-analog converter(DAC). In some instances, accepter module 110 may include a computerprocessor programmed to accept a mobile device location query usingdigital signal processing, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), ananalog-to-digital converter (ADC), and/or a microphone.

Then, operation 520 depicts presenting an indication of location of themobile device at least partially based on receiving the location query.For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the presenter module 120 canpresent an indication of location of the mobile device at leastpartially based on receiving the location query. In an embodiment,presenter module 120 may present an indication of location of the mobiledevice location in the form of sending GPS coordinates to a secondmobile device at least partially based on accepting a location query inthe form of a text message to the first mobile device. Some examples ofpresenting an indication of location may include making a sound or aseries of sounds, activating a light, and/or transmitting information,such as GPS coordinates. Other examples of presenting an indication oflocation may include transmitting a signal to another mobile deviceand/or presenting an indication of location to a printer coupled to acomputer in a central location, such as the mobile device owner's homeoffice. In some instances, presenter module 120 may include a computerprocessor.

FIG. 6 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 500 of FIG. 5. FIG. 6 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 510 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 602, an operation 604, and/or anoperation 606.

The operation 602 illustrates accepting a sound query using digitalsignal processing. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the soundquery accepter module 302 can accept a sound query using digital signalprocessing. In an embodiment, sound query accepter module 302 may accepta sound query in the form of an audible digitally-created signal. Someexamples of a sound query may include a voice, such as a word or aphrase, or sound played from a recording, such as a compact diskrecording, for example. Another example of accepting a sound query mayinclude audio signal processing, an example of which may be found inU.S. Pat. No. 8,027,477, which is incorporated herein by reference. Insome instances, sound query accepter module 302 may include a computerprocessor programmed to accept a sound query.

Further, the operation 604 illustrates accepting a voice query usingdigital signal processing. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4,the voice query accepter module 304 can accept a voice query usingdigital signal processing. In an embodiment, voice query accepter module304 may accept the voice query, “Phone, state your location.” Someexamples of a voice query may include a word or a series of words.Additionally, a voice query may include a recorded voice, such as acompact disk recording. In an embodiment, voice query accepter module304 may accept a voice query in the form of a recorded voice from acompact disk with a voice that speaks the word “locate” in a frequencyspecifically recognizable by the voice query accepter module 304.Accepting a voice query using digital signal processing may includespeech signal processing, such as speech recognition. Speechrecognition, or voice recognition, converts a spoken word to a digitalsignal, such as text. In some instances, voice recognition may include arecognition system that is trained to recognize the voice of aparticular speaker. An example of voice and speech recognition may befound in U.S. Pat. No. 8,056,070, which is incorporated herein byreference. In some instances, voice query accepter module 304 mayinclude a computer processor.

Further, the operation 606 illustrates accepting an artificially-createdsound query using digital signal processing. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 4, the artificial query accepter module 306 can acceptan artificially created query using digital signal processing. In anembodiment, the artificial query accepter module 306 may accept a seriesof computer-created sounds in a high frequency sound range that a humanmay not be able to detect. In this embodiment, the high frequency soundrange may be only detectable by the mobile device. Other usable soundranges may be used, for example ultrasonic, very high, or very low soundfrequency ranges. An example of using a very high audio frequency rangemay be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,703, which is incorporated herein byreference. Further, the artificially-created sound query may be recordedand/or stored on mechanical, optical, or magnetic media for repeated ordelayed transmission to the mobile device. In some instances, artificialquery accepter module 306 may include a computer processor.

FIG. 7 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 500 of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 510 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 702, an operation 704, and/or anoperation 706.

The operation 702 illustrates accepting a text message that causes themobile device to indicate a location. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 4, the text accepter module 308 can accept a text message thatcauses the mobile device to indicate a location. In an embodiment, textaccepter module 308 may accept a text message from a smart phone. Forexample, the text message may be a specified word or phrase, such as“LOCATION” which may be a predetermined command for the mobile device tosend an indication of location, for example, GPS coordinates. A textmessage may include a message utilizing the Short Message Service (SMS).One example of using the Short Message Service (SMS) may be found inU.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0248821, which is incorporated hereinby reference. In some instances, text accepter module 308 may include acomputer processor.

The operation 704 illustrates accepting a device-generated signal thatcauses the mobile device to indicate a location. For example, as shownin FIGS. 1 through 4, the computer accepter module 310 can accept adevice-generated signal that causes the mobile device to indicate alocation. In one embodiment, computer accepter module 310 may accept aninfrared signal from a Wii remote. The infrared signal from the Wiiremote may be accepted by and/or detected by the mobile device causingthe mobile device to indicate a location, for example override a silentmode and choose a ring tone to be presented. In an additionalembodiment, computer accepter module 310 may accept a query from auniversal remote control using infrared technology. The universal remotecontrol may include a universal remote control that an individualregularly uses for changing channels and controlling a television, suchas the universal remote control disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,587,067,which is incorporated herein by reference. In some instances, computeraccepter module 310 may include a computer processor.

The operation 706 illustrates accepting an indication of a predeterminedelapsed time that causes the mobile device to indicate a location. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the elapsed time accepter module312 can accept an indication of a predetermined elapsed time that causesthe mobile device to indicate a location. In an embodiment, elapsed timeaccepter module 312 may accept an indication of a twenty-four hour timeperiod that has passed without any activity, such as a phone call, adata message, or an SMS message, for example from a smartphone. In anadditional embodiment, elapsed time accepter module 312 may accept anindication of a three day period that a computer tablet has not beenmoved. For example, the computer tablet may include an accelerometer fordetecting movement or non-movement, which may indicate to an elapsedtime accepter module 312. In some instances, elapsed time acceptermodule 312 may include a computer processor.

FIG. 8 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 500 of FIG. 5. FIG. 8 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 510 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 802, an operation 804, an operation806, and/or an operation 808.

The operation 802 illustrates terminating at least one application aftera predetermined time has passed. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 4, the application terminator module 314 can terminate at leastone application after a predetermined time has passed. In an embodiment,application terminator module 314 may terminate a browser applicationafter a twenty four hour time period has passed. Terminating at leastone application may serve to preserve battery and processing power inthe case of an extended period of time that the mobile device may belost or missing. Some examples of applications that may be closedinclude any non-essential applications (e.g., a browsing application, agame, a texting application, a mapping application, and/or a calendarapplication). In some instances, application terminator module 314 mayinclude a computer processor.

Further, the operation 804 illustrates terminating at least one of atexting program, an email program, or an internet browser. For example,as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the program terminator module 316 canterminate at least one of a texting program, an email program, or aninternet browser. In an embodiment, program terminator module 316 mayterminate an email program. In this embodiment, this may serve to reducecomputer processing time and in turn reduce battery consumption. Thismay be advantageous to prolong battery life in the event of a lostmobile device. In some instances, program terminator module 316 mayinclude a computer processor.

Further, the operation 806 illustrates terminating a wirelesscommunication link. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the linkterminator module 318 can terminate a wireless communication link. In anembodiment, link terminator module 318 may terminate a link between amobile device and a wireless router. This may serve to further preservebattery power. Some examples of a wireless communications link mayinclude a wireless personal area network (WPAN), a wireless local areanetwork (WLAN), or a mobile device network, for example a base stationsystem in a cell network or a Personal Communications Service (PCS). Insome instances, a link terminator module 318 may include a computerprocessor.

The operation 808 illustrates accepting a location query for at leastone of a cell phone, a smartphone, a portable media player, or a tabletcomputer. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the deviceaccepter module 320 can accept a query for at least one of a cell phone,a mobile phone, a portable media player, or a tablet computer. In anembodiment, device accepter module 320 may accept a location query for acell phone. A cell phone may include a device which can make and receivetelephone calls over a radio link while moving around a wide geographicarea by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile networkprovider. A smartphone may include a mobile phone and/or a cell phonethat can support a variety of applications and services including textmessaging, E-mail programs, multimedia messaging service, Internetbrowsing, infrared or Bluetooth communications, gaming, photography,and/or business applications. A portable media player may include aconsumer electronics device capable of storing and playing digital mediasuch as audio, images, video, documents, etc. A portable media playermay include a hard drive, a microdrive, and/or flash memory. Someexamples of a portable media player may include an Apple iPod, a DiamondRio from Diamond Multimedia, or a Microsoft Zune. A tablet computer mayinclude a mobile computer integrated onto a flat screen and operatedprimarily by touching the screen. Some examples of a tablet computer mayinclude an Apple iPad or a Microsoft Tablet PC. In some instances,device accepter module 320 may include a computer processor.

FIG. 9 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 500 of FIG. 5. FIG. 9 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 510 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 902, an operation 904, an operation906, and/or an operation 908.

The operation 902 illustrates utilizing low power digital signalprocessing. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the utilizermodule 322 can utilize low power digital signal processing. In anembodiment, utilizer module 322 may utilize digital signal processingdesigned to use reduced battery power. In this embodiment, using reducedbattery power may serve to prolong the amount of time that a misplacedmobile device may be capable of receiving or transmitting a locationsignal. Another example of utilizing low power digital signal processingmay include the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,141,761, which isincorporated herein by reference. In some instances, utilizer module 322may include a computer processor.

Further, the operation 904 illustrates accepting an indication to entera hibernation mode. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, thehibernation mode accepter module 324 can accept an indication to enter ahibernation mode. In an embodiment, hibernation mode accepter module 324may accept an indication to enter a misplaced mobile phone into ahibernation mode. For example, the misplaced mobile device may includean accelerometer that may indicate that the mobile device has not beenmoved within the past twenty four hours. A signal may be sent from theaccelerometer to hibernation mode accepter module 324, which mayinitiate a hibernation mode in the mobile device. Hibernation mode mayinclude powering down at least a portion of a computing system whileretaining at least part of its computing state. Hibernation may serve toconserve electrical power, for example in the battery of the mobiledevice. In another embodiment, hibernation mode accepter module 324 mayaccept and indication to enter hibernation mode upon the activation of alow-battery alarm. One example of using a low-battery alarm may be foundin U.S. Patent Publication 2009/0117949, which is incorporated herein byreference. In some instances, hibernation mode accepter module 324 mayinclude a computer processor.

Further, the operation 906 illustrates accepting an indication to entera partial hibernation mode. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4,the partial hibernation mode accepter module 326 can accept anindication to enter a partial hibernation mode. In an embodiment,partial hibernation mode accepter module 326 may accept an indication toenter a mobile device into a partial hibernation mode. A partialhibernation mode may be similar to a hibernation mode, discussed above,but may include more running applications and/or services. In someinstances, partial hibernation mode accepter module 326 may include acomputer processor.

Further, the operation 908 illustrates detecting a low-power status ofthe battery. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the detectormodule 328 can detect a low-power status of the battery. In anembodiment, detector module 328 may detect a low-power status of atablet computer battery. For example, a low-power detecting device maybe implemented that can calculate the time until a battery is completelydischarged or may need to be replaced and/or recharged. An example of asimilar device may be found in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0018306,which is incorporated herein by reference. In some instances, detectormodule 328 may include a computer processor.

FIG. 10 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 500 of FIG. 5. FIG. 10 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 510 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 1002, an operation 1004, and/or anoperation 1006.

The operation 1002 illustrates accepting a query at a predeterminedperiodic time interval. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, thetime interval accepter module 330 can accept a query at a predeterminedperiodic time interval. In an embodiment, time interval accepter module330 may be programmed to accept a query regarding location at a specifictime or at a specific time period. For example, at 10:00 P.M. everyevening the mobile device may turn on from a hibernation mode and may beready to receive a voice query. In this example, the mobile device maybe programmed to return to the hibernation mode to save on battery powerif a voice query is not detected within five minutes. This may serve tofunction as a method for locating a misplaced mobile device while savingbattery power and may increase the likelihood that the device may befound even an extended period of time after misplacement. In someinstances, time interval accepter module 330 may include a computerprocessor.

Further, the operation 1004 illustrates accepting a sound query at apredetermined periodic time interval. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 4, the sound interval accepter module 332 can accept a soundquery at a predetermined periodic time interval. In an embodiment, soundinterval accepter module 332 may accept a recording of acomputer-created series of tones that are recognizable by a specificmobile device every hour. Some examples of a sound query may include acomputer-created sound, a sound played from a recordable medium, such asa compact disk, or a human voice. In some instances, sound intervalaccepter module 332 may include a computer processor.

Further, the operation 1006 illustrates accepting a voice query at apredetermined periodic time interval. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 4, the voice interval accepter module 334 can accept a voicequery at a predetermined periodic time interval. In an embodiment, voiceinterval accepter module 334 may accept a sound query in the form of avoice command, for example “phone indicate location” every hour in thehour. The mobile device may be in hibernation mode or in an otherwisepower saving mode in order to conserve battery power. In some instances,voice interval accepter module 334 may include a computer processor.

FIG. 11 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 500 of FIG. 5. FIG. 11 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 510 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 1102, an operation 1104, anoperation 1106, and/or an operation 1108.

The operation 1102 illustrates accepting a mobile device location queryusing speech signal processing. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through4, the location query accepter module 336 can accept a mobile devicelocation query using speech signal processing. In an embodiment,location query accepter module 336 may accept a smartphone locationquery using speech signal processing. Speech signal processing mayinclude speech recognition and/or speech compression. In some instances,location query accepter module 336 may include a computer processor.

Further, the operation 1104 illustrates accepting a mobile devicelocation query using speech recognition. For example, as shown in FIGS.1 through 4, the speech recognition accepter module 338 can accept amobile device location query using speech recognition. In an embodiment,speech recognition accepter module 338 may accept a computer tabletlocation query using speech recognition. Speech recognition may includeconverting at least one spoken word to text. Some examples of speechrecognition may include voice recognition, which may include arecognition system that is trained to recognize a certain speaker.However, speech recognition generally refers to technology that canrecognize speech without being targeted to any one specific speaker, forexample a call system that can recognize an arbitrary voice. Otherexamples of speech recognition may include voice dialing (e.g., “Phone,where are you?”), call routing (e.g., “I would like to make a collectcall”), domotic appliance control, search (e.g., find a podcast whereparticular words were spoken), simple data entry (e.g., entering acredit card number), preparation of structured documents (e.g., aradiology report), speech-to-text processing (e.g., word processors oremails), and/or aircraft (usually termed Direct Voice Input). Anotherexample of speech recognition may include the example found in U.S. Pat.No. 5,903,864, which is incorporated herein by reference. In someinstances, speech recognition accepter module 338 may include a computerprocessor.

Further, the operation 1106 illustrates accepting a mobile devicelocation query using voice recognition. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 4, the voice recognition accepter module 340 can accept a mobiledevice location query using voice recognition. In an embodiment, voicerecognition accepter module 340 may accept a smartphone location queryusing voice recognition. As discussed above, voice recognition mayinclude a recognition system that is trained to recognize a certainspeaker. An example of a voice recognition system may include theexample discussed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0166859, which isincorporated herein by reference. In some instances, voice recognitionaccepter module 340 may include a computer processor,

Further, the operation 1108 illustrates accepting a mobile devicelocation query using a voice user interface. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 4, the voice user interface 342 can accept a mobiledevice location query using a voice user interface. In an embodiment,voice user interface 342 may accept a mobile device location query usinga voice user interface used by a speech application on the mobiledevice. The mobile device may include a speech application where anindividual may speak a word or phrase, such as “phone, beep.” Then, thevoice user interface would take the spoken word or phrase and utilizethe speech application to compute the word or phrase. The mobile phonemay then be prompted to present and indication of location of the mobiledevice. A further example of a voice user interface may include thedistributed voice user interface discussed in U.S. Patent Publication2002/0072918, which is incorporated herein by reference. In someinstances, voice user interface 342 may include a computer processor.

FIG. 12 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 500 of FIG. 5. FIG. 12 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 520 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 1202, an operation 1204, and/or anoperation 1206.

The operation 1202 illustrates presenting a sound that provides anindication of location of the mobile device. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 4, the sound presenter module 402 can present a soundthat indicates location of the mobile device. In an embodiment, soundpresenter module 402 may present a predetermined ringtone sound thatindicates location of the mobile device. Some examples of a sound thatmay indicate location of the mobile device may include a ringtone, anaudible beep, a jingle, or other sounds or combinations of sound. Anexample of creating and purchasing ringtones may be found in U.S. PatentPublication No. 2008/0167968, which is incorporated herein by reference.In some instances, sound presenter module 402 may include a computerprocessor.

Further, the operation 1204 illustrates presenting a computer-createdsound that indicates location of the mobile device. For example, asshown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the computer-created sound presenter module404 can present a computer-created sound that indicates location of themobile device. In an embodiment, computer-created sound presenter module404 may present a computer-created song that indicates location of themobile device. This may serve to let an individual know where amisplaced mobile device may be, for example a cell phone that has beenlost behind a furniture cushion. Some examples of a computer-createdsound may include computer or electronic music, a ringtone, a beep, or arecorded message. An example of creating a computer-created customringtone may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,546,148. In some instances,computer-created sound presenter module 404 may include a computerprocessor.

Further, the operation 1206 illustrates presenting a computer-createdvoice that indicates location of the mobile device. For example, asshown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the voice presenter module 406 can present acomputer-created voice that indicates location of the mobile device. Inan embodiment, voice presenter module 406 may present a computer createdvoice that includes a voice repeatedly stating “alert.” This may serveto alert an individual of the location of the mobile device in the eventof misplacement. In one embodiment, a computer-created voice may beinteractive, such as the example found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,778,833, whichis incorporated herein by reference. In some instances, voice presentermodule 406 may include a computer processor.

FIG. 13 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 500 of FIG. 5. FIG. 13 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 520 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 1302, an operation 1304, anoperation 1306, an operation 1308, and/or an operation 1310.

The operation 1302 illustrates presenting an indication for the mobiledevice where the indication includes vibration. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 4, the vibration presenter module 408 can present atrigger for the mobile device to vibrate. In an embodiment, vibrationpresenter module 408 may present an indication for the mobile device totrigger a vibrating alert. In this embodiment, a vibrating alert motormay be included in the mobile device. the vibrating alert motor mayinclude a small electric motor coupled to an eccentric, or unbalancedweight. Utilizing a vibration may generally serve to alert an individualin the case of a noisy environment or in the case of a hearing impaireduser. An additional reason may include increased sound, such as when themobile device with a vibrating alert motor is placed on a firm or hardsurface. In this case, the vibration may often be as loud or louder thana regular sound or ringtone because of the vibration against the firm ofhard surface. An example of a mobile device including a vibrating alertmotor may include a cell phone with a vibrating alert motor, such as theexample described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0242287, which isincorporated herein by reference. In some instances, vibration presentermodule 408 may include a computer processor.

The operation 1304 illustrates presenting a visible indication of themobile device location. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, thevisible signal presenter module 410 can present a visible indication ofthe mobile device location. In an embodiment, visible signal presentermodule 410 may present an LED light to indicate the mobile devicelocation. Presenting a visible indication of the mobile device may serveto locate a misplaced mobile device and may be especially helpful, forexample, to an individual that may be hearing impaired. Some examples ofa visible indication may include a light, such as an LED or anincandescent bulb, a strobe light, a backlit display, or a lit screendisplay. In one embodiment, visible signal presenter module 410 maypresent a strobe light in order to indicate to an individual a misplacedtablet computer. In this embodiment, the strobe light may be includedwith the tablet computer, for example as part of a camera flash wherethe camera flash is utilized as the strobe light. Another example of alight mechanism for a cell phone may be found in U.S. Pat. No.6,341,871, which is incorporated herein by reference. In some instances,visible signal presenter module 410 may include a computer processor.

Further, the operation 1306 illustrates presenting at least a constantlight, a blinking light, or a strobe light that indicates the mobiledevice location. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the lightpresenter module 412 can present at least a constant light, a blinkinglight, or a strobe light that indicates the mobile device location. Inan embodiment, light presenter module 412 may present a blinking lightthat may indicate a misplaced smartphone to an individual. Presenting ablinking light may serve to be more visible and more effectively alertan individual to the location of a mobile device. A constant light mayinclude an LED light source, an incandescent light source, or afluorescent light source, for example. A light that is constantlyilluminated may serve to be more visible to an individual in a darkenedsetting, such as a room without any other light or solely ambient light.A strobe light may include a stroboscopic light, or a light that may beused to produce regular flashes of light, for example ten to twelveflashes of light per second. In an embodiment, light presenter module412 may present a strobe light that discharges light in a continuousmode for five minute intervals. Another example of a mobile devicepresenting a strobe light may include a cell phone with a built inflash, such as the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,428,016, which isincorporated herein by reference. In some instances, light presentermodule 412 may include a computer processor.

The operation 1308 illustrates presenting an indication of location ofthe mobile device to a third party. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 4, the third party presenter module 414 can present anindication of location of the mobile device to a third party. In anembodiment, third party presenter module 414 may present an indicationof location of the mobile device to an off location computer. In thisembodiment, the mobile device may transmit an indication of location,such as a router web address or GPS coordinates, for example, to acomputer programmed to receive GPS coordinates and alert the mobiledevice owner as to the location. Some examples of a third party mayinclude an off location or remote computer, a mobile service provider,or a second mobile device. In some instances, third party presentermodule 414 may include a computer processor.

Further, the operation 1310 illustrates presenting an indication oflocation of the mobile device to at least one of a phone locatingservice, a phone service provider, a vehicle location service, a lawenforcement agency, a private investigator, a criminal investigator, alost-and-found service, or another mobile device. For example, as shownin FIGS. 1 through 4, the service presenter module 416 can present anindication of location of the mobile device to at least one of a phonelocating service, a phone service provider, or another mobile device. Inan embodiment, service presenter module 416 may present a set of GPScoordinates to a second mobile device. In this embodiment, an individualthat has misplaced a first mobile device, a cell phone for example, mayadditionally possess a second mobile device, a computer tablet forexample, that may be configured to accept an indication of location ofthe first mobile device, such as GPS coordinates. In a specificembodiment, an individual may misplace or lose a cell phone at a localstore while shopping and upon arriving home, may realize the cell phonehas been lost. In this example, the service presenter module 416 may beconfigured to present a set of location coordinates to a tablet computerpossessed by the individual where the individual can retrieve the lostcell phone according to the location coordinates. A phone locatingservice may include a service that uses computers, for example,configured to accept an indication of a mobile device and further reportlocation of the mobile device. In some instances, the phone locatingservice may be for-profit and may offer a subscription service. A phoneservice provider may include a provider of network service and mayinclude data and/or voice plans to a mobile device. Some examples of aphone service provider may include Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon as well asother similar providers. Some examples of another mobile device mayinclude a tablet computer, a cell phone, or a smartphone. In someinstances, service presenter module 416 may include a computerprocessor.

FIG. 14 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 500 of FIG. 5. FIG. 14 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 520 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 1402.

The operation 1402 illustrates presenting an indication of location ofthe mobile device to a remote location. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 4, the remote presenter module 418 can present an indication oflocation of the mobile device to a remote location. In an embodiment,remote presenter module 418 may present an indication of location of themobile device, which is located in Phoenix, Ariz., to a computer in LosAngeles, Calif. The computer in Los Angeles may serve as an off-locationservice provider, for example. Additionally, presenting an indication oflocation of a mobile device to a remote location may serve as a backuplocation providing service. In some instances, remote presenter module418 may include a computer processor.

FIG. 15 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 500 of FIG. 5. FIG. 15 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 520 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 1502.

The operation 1502 illustrates accepting a voice query where anindividual communicates a single word as the mobile device locationquery and presenting an audible and repeated high-volume ringtone as theindication of location of the mobile device. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 4, the accepter module 110 and the presenter module 120can accept a voice query where an individual communicates a single wordas the mobile device location query and present an audible and repeatedhigh-volume ringtone as the indication of location of the mobile device.In an embodiment, accepter module 110 may accept a voice query where anindividual communicates a single word as the mobile device locationquery and presenter module 120 may present an audible and repeatedhigh-volume ringtone as the indication of location of the mobile device.In some instances, accepter module 110 may include a computer processor.In some instances, presenter module 120 may include a computerprocessor.

FIG. 16 illustrates a partial view of an example computer programproduct 1600 that includes a computer program 1604 for executing acomputer process on a computing device. An embodiment of the examplecomputer program product 1600 is provided using a signal-bearing medium1602, and may include one or more instructions for accepting a mobiledevice location query using digital signal processing and one or moreinstructions for presenting an indication of location of the mobiledevice at least partially based on receiving the location query. The oneor more instructions may be, for example, computer executable and/orlogic-implemented instructions. In one implementation, thesignal-bearing medium 1602 may include a computer-readable medium 1606.In one implementation, the signal bearing medium 1602 may include arecordable medium 1608. In one implementation, the signal bearing medium1602 may include a communications medium 1610.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example system 1700 in which embodiments may beimplemented. The system 1700 includes a computing system environment.The system 1700 also illustrates the user 118 using a device 1704, whichis optionally shown as being in communication with a computing device1702 by way of an optional coupling 1706. The optional coupling 1706 mayrepresent a local, wide-area, or peer-to-peer network, or may representa bus that is internal to a computing device (e.g., in exampleembodiments in which the computing device 1702 is contained in whole orin part within the device 1704). A storage medium 1708 may be anycomputer storage media.

The computing device 1702 includes computer-executable instructions 1710that when executed on the computing device 1702 cause the computingdevice 1702 to accept a mobile device location query using digitalsignal processing and present an indication of location of the mobiledevice at least partially based on receiving the location query. Asreferenced above and as shown in FIG. 17, in some examples, thecomputing device 1702 may optionally be contained in whole or in partwithin the device 1704.

In FIG. 17, then, the system 1700 includes at least one computing device(e.g., 1702 and/or 1704). The computer-executable instructions 1710 maybe executed on one or more of the at least one computing device. Forexample, the computing device 1702 may implement the computer-executableinstructions 1710 and output a result to (and/or receive data from) thecomputing device 1704. Since the computing device 1702 may be wholly orpartially contained within the computing device 1704, the device 1704also may be said to execute some or all of the computer-executableinstructions 1710, in order to be caused to perform or implement, forexample, various ones of the techniques described herein, or othertechniques.

The device 1704 may include, for example, a portable computing device,workstation, or desktop computing device. In another example embodiment,the computing device 1702 is operable to communicate with the device1704 associated with the user 118 to receive information about the inputfrom the user 118 for performing data access and data processing andpresenting an output of the user-health test function at least partlybased on the user data.

Although a user 199 is shown/described herein as a single illustratedfigure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a user 199 may berepresentative of a human user, a robotic user (e.g., computationalentity), and/or substantially any combination thereof (e.g., a user maybe assisted by one or more robotic agents). In addition, a user 199, asset forth herein, although shown as a single entity may in fact becomposed of two or more entities. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that, in general, the same may be said of “sender” and/orother entity-oriented terms as such terms are used herein.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoing specificexemplary processes and/or devices and/or technologies arerepresentative of more general processes and/or devices and/ortechnologies taught elsewhere herein, such as in the claims filedherewith and/or elsewhere in the present application.

Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the arthas progressed to the point where there is little distinction leftbetween hardware, software, and/or firmware implementations of aspectsof systems; the use of hardware, software, and/or firmware is generally(but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between hardwareand software can become significant) a design choice representing costvs. efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in the art will appreciatethat there are various vehicles by which processes and/or systems and/orother technologies described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware,software, and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will varywith the context in which the processes and/or systems and/or othertechnologies are deployed. For example, if an implementer determinesthat speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for amainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibilityis paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly softwareimplementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt forsome combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, thereare several possible vehicles by which the processes and/or devicesand/or other technologies described herein may be effected, none ofwhich is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to beutilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the vehiclewill be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, orpredictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary. Those skilledin the art will recognize that optical aspects of implementations willtypically employ optically-oriented hardware, software, and or firmware.

In some implementations described herein, logic and similarimplementations may include software or other control structuressuitable to operation. Electronic circuitry, for example, may manifestone or more paths of electrical current constructed and arranged toimplement various logic functions as described herein. In someimplementations, one or more media are configured to bear adevice-detectable implementation if such media hold or transmit aspecial-purpose device instruction set operable to perform as describedherein. In some variants, for example, this may manifest as an update orother modification of existing software or firmware, or of gate arraysor other programmable hardware, such as by performing a reception of ora transmission of one or more instructions in relation to one or moreoperations described herein. Alternatively or additionally, in somevariants, an implementation may include special-purpose hardware,software, firmware components, and/or general-purpose componentsexecuting or otherwise invoking special-purpose components.Specifications or other implementations may be transmitted by one ormore instances of tangible transmission media as described herein,optionally by packet transmission or otherwise by passing throughdistributed media at various times.

Alternatively or additionally, implementations may include executing aspecial-purpose instruction sequence or otherwise invoking circuitry forenabling, triggering, coordinating, requesting, or otherwise causing oneor more occurrences of any functional operations described above. Insome variants, operational or other logical descriptions herein may beexpressed directly as source code and compiled or otherwise invoked asan executable instruction sequence. In some contexts, for example, C++or other code sequences can be compiled directly or otherwiseimplemented in high-level descriptor languages (e.g., alogic-synthesizable language, a hardware description language, ahardware design simulation, and/or other such similar mode(s) ofexpression). Alternatively or additionally, some or all of the logicalexpression may be manifested as a Verilog-type hardware description orother circuitry model before physical implementation in hardware,especially for basic operations or timing-critical applications. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize how to obtain, configure, and optimizesuitable transmission or computational elements, material supplies,actuators, or other common structures in light of these teachings.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments ofthe devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts,and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/orexamples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will beunderstood by those within the art that each function and/or operationwithin such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented,individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software,firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment,several portions of the subject matter described herein may beimplemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), FieldProgrammable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), orother integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art willrecognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, inwhole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integratedcircuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or morecomputers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computersystems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors(e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors),as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designingthe circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or firmwarewould be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light ofthis disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capableof being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, andthat an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described hereinapplies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium usedto actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearingmedium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable typemedium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), aDigital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and atransmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analogcommunication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wiredcommunications link, a wireless communication link (e.g., transmitter,receiver, transmission logic, reception logic, etc.), etc.).

In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that thevarious embodiments described herein can be implemented, individuallyand/or collectively, by various types of electro-mechanical systemshaving a wide range of electrical components such as hardware, software,firmware, and/or virtually any combination thereof; and a wide range ofcomponents that may impart mechanical force or motion such as rigidbodies, spring or torsional bodies, hydraulics, electro-magneticallyactuated devices, and/or virtually any combination thereof.Consequently, as used herein “electro-mechanical system” includes, butis not limited to, electrical circuitry operably coupled with atransducer (e.g., an actuator, a motor, a piezoelectric crystal, a MicroElectro Mechanical System (MEMS), etc.), electrical circuitry having atleast one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having atleast one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least oneapplication specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming ageneral purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g.,a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which atleast partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein,or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at leastpartially carries out processes and/or devices described herein),electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of memory(e.g., random access, flash, read only, etc.)), electrical circuitryforming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch,optical-electrical equipment, etc.), and/or any non-electrical analogthereto, such as optical or other analogs. Those skilled in the art willalso appreciate that examples of electro-mechanical systems include butare not limited to a variety of consumer electronics systems, medicaldevices, as well as other systems such as motorized transport systems,factory automation systems, security systems, and/orcommunication/computing systems. Those skilled in the art will recognizethat electro-mechanical as used herein is not necessarily limited to asystem that has both electrical and mechanical actuation except ascontext may dictate otherwise.

In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that thevarious aspects described herein which can be implemented, individuallyand/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware,and/or any combination thereof can be viewed as being composed ofvarious types of “electrical circuitry.” Consequently, as used herein“electrical circuitry” includes, but is not limited to, electricalcircuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electricalcircuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitryhaving at least one application specific integrated circuit, electricalcircuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by acomputer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by acomputer program which at least partially carries out processes and/ordevices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computerprogram which at least partially carries out processes and/or devicesdescribed herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g.,forms of memory (e.g., random access, flash, read only, etc.)), and/orelectrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem,communications switch, optical-electrical equipment, etc.). Those havingskill in the art will recognize that the subject matter described hereinmay be implemented in an analog or digital fashion or some combinationthereof.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that at least a portion of thedevices and/or processes described herein can be integrated into a dataprocessing system. Those having skill in the art will recognize that adata processing system generally includes one or more of a system unithousing, a video display device, memory such as volatile or non-volatilememory, processors such as microprocessors or digital signal processors,computational entities such as operating systems, drivers, graphicaluser interfaces, and applications programs, one or more interactiondevices (e.g., a touch pad, a touch screen, an antenna, etc.), and/orcontrol systems including feedback loops and control motors (e.g.,feedback for sensing position and/or velocity; control motors for movingand/or adjusting components and/or quantities). A data processing systemmay be implemented utilizing suitable commercially available components,such as those typically found in data computing/communication and/ornetwork computing/communication systems.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the artto implement devices and/or processes and/or systems, and thereafter useengineering and/or other practices to integrate such implemented devicesand/or processes and/or systems into more comprehensive devices and/orprocesses and/or systems. That is, at least a portion of the devicesand/or processes and/or systems described herein can be integrated intoother devices and/or processes and/or systems via a reasonable amount ofexperimentation. Those having skill in the art will recognize thatexamples of such other devices and/or processes and/or systems mightinclude—as appropriate to context and application—all or part of devicesand/or processes and/or systems of (a) an air conveyance (e.g., anairplane, rocket, helicopter, etc.), (b) a ground conveyance (e.g., acar, truck, locomotive, tank, armored personnel carrier, etc.), (c) abuilding (e.g., a home, warehouse, office, etc.), (d) an appliance(e.g., a refrigerator, a washing machine, a dryer, etc.), (e) acommunications system (e.g., a networked system, a telephone system, aVoice over IP system, etc.), (f) a business entity (e.g., an InternetService Provider (ISP) entity such as Comcast Cable, Qwest, SouthwesternBell, etc.), or (g) a wired/wireless services entity (e.g., Sprint,Cingular, Nextel, etc.), etc.

In certain cases, use of a system or method may occur in a territoryeven if components are located outside the territory. For example, in adistributed computing context, use of a distributed computing system mayoccur in a territory even though parts of the system may be locatedoutside of the territory (e.g., relay, server, processor, signal-bearingmedium, transmitting computer, receiving computer, etc. located outsidethe territory).

A sale of a system or method may likewise occur in a territory even ifcomponents of the system or method are located and/or used outside theterritory.

Further, implementation of at least part of a system for performing amethod in one territory does not preclude use of the system in anotherterritory.

All of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications,U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applicationsand non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/orlisted in any Application Data Sheet, are incorporated herein byreference, to the extent not inconsistent herewith.

One skilled in the art will recognize that the herein describedcomponents (e.g., operations), devices, objects, and the discussionaccompanying them are used as examples for the sake of conceptualclarity and that various configuration modifications are contemplated.Consequently, as used herein, the specific exemplars set forth and theaccompanying discussion are intended to be representative of their moregeneral classes. In general, use of any specific exemplar is intended tobe representative of its class, and the non-inclusion of specificcomponents (e.g., operations), devices, and objects should not be takenlimiting.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates differentcomponents contained within, or connected with, different othercomponents. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures aremerely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures may beimplemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense,any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality iseffectively “associated” such that the desired functionality isachieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve aparticular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each othersuch that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective ofarchitectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components soassociated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or“operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality,and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewedas being “operably couplable,” to each other to achieve the desiredfunctionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but arenot limited to physically mateable and/or physically interactingcomponents, and/or wirelessly interactable, and/or wirelesslyinteracting components, and/or logically interacting, and/or logicallyinteractable components.

In some instances, one or more components may be referred to herein as“configured to,” “configurable to,” “operable/operative to,”“adapted/adaptable,” “able to,” “conformable/conformed to,” etc. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize that “configured to” can generallyencompass active-state components and/or inactive-state componentsand/or standby-state components, unless context requires otherwise.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described hereinhave been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modificationsmay be made without departing from the subject matter described hereinand its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are toencompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as arewithin the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein.It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of theappended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to claims containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where aconvention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, ingeneral such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill inthe art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that typically a disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms unless context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase “Aor B” will be typically understood to include the possibilities of “A”or “B” or “A and B.”

With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art willappreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed inany order. Also, although various operational flows are presented in asequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may beperformed in other orders than those which are illustrated, or may beperformed concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may includeoverlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental,preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variantorderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms like“responsive to,” “related to,” or other past-tense adjectives aregenerally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictatesotherwise.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, otheraspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes ofillustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scopeand spirit being indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: prolonging at least oneduration for a mobile device to be capable of accepting a mobile devicelocation query, including at least: reducing power to one or moreportions of the mobile device associated with accepting mobile devicelocation queries, the reducing power including at least reducing powerduring any period outside of one or more predetermined time periods foraccepting mobile device location queries; and restoring power to one ormore portions of the mobile device associated with accepting mobiledevice location queries, the restoring power including at leastrestoring power during the one or more predetermined time periods foraccepting mobile device location queries; and presenting an indicationof location of the mobile device at least partially based on accepting amobile device location query during at least one predetermined timeperiod for accepting mobile device location queries.
 2. A system,comprising: means for prolonging at least one duration for a mobiledevice to be capable of accepting a mobile device location query,including at least: means for reducing power to one or more portions ofthe mobile device associated with accepting mobile device locationqueries, wherein the means for reducing power is configured to reducepower during any period outside of one or more predetermined timeperiods for accepting mobile device location queries; and means forrestoring power to one or more portions of the mobile device associatedwith accepting mobile device location queries, wherein the means forrestoring power is configured to restore power during the one or morepredetermined time periods for accepting mobile device location queries;and means for presenting an indication of location of the mobile deviceat least partially based on accepting a mobile device location queryduring at least one predetermined time period for accepting mobiledevice location queries.
 3. A system, comprising: circuitry forprolonging at least one duration for a mobile device to be capable ofaccepting a mobile device location query, including at least: circuitryfor reducing power to one or more portions of the mobile deviceassociated with accepting mobile device location queries, wherein thecircuitry for reducing power is configured to reduce power during anyperiod outside of one or more predetermined time periods associated withaccepting mobile device location queries; and circuitry for restoringpower to one or more portions of the mobile device associated withaccepting mobile device location queries, wherein the circuitry forrestoring power is configured to restore power during the one or morepredetermined time periods associated with accepting mobile devicelocation queries; and circuitry for presenting an indication of locationof the mobile device at least partially based on accepting a mobiledevice location query during at least one predetermined time periodassociated with accepting mobile device location queries.
 4. The systemof claim 3, wherein circuitry for presenting an indication of locationof the mobile device at least partially based on accepting a mobiledevice location query during at least one predetermined time periodassociated with accepting mobile device location queries comprises:circuitry for presenting an indication of location of the mobile deviceat least partially based on accepting a sound query.
 5. The system ofclaim 4, wherein circuitry for presenting an indication of location ofthe mobile device at least partially based on accepting a sound querycomprises: circuitry for presenting an indication of location of themobile device at least partially based on accepting at least one of avoice query, an artificially-created sound query, or another type ofsound query.
 6. The system of claim 3, wherein circuitry for presentingan indication of location of the mobile device at least partially basedon accepting a mobile device location query during at least onepredetermined time period associated with accepting mobile devicelocation queries comprises: circuitry for presenting an indication oflocation of the mobile device at least partially based on accepting atleast one of (a) a text message including at least a specified word orphrase or (b) a device-generated signal that causes the mobile device toindicate a location.
 7. The system of claim 3, wherein circuitry forpresenting an indication of location of the mobile device at leastpartially based on accepting a mobile device location query during atleast one predetermined time period associated with accepting mobiledevice location queries comprises: circuitry for presenting anindication of location of the mobile device at least partially based onaccepting a device-generated signal that causes the mobile device tooverride at least one silent mode of the mobile device and indicate alocation.
 8. The system of claim 3, wherein circuitry for reducing powerto one or more portions of the mobile device associated with acceptingmobile device location queries, wherein the circuitry for reducing poweris configured to reduce power during any period outside of one or morepredetermined time periods associated with accepting mobile devicelocation queries comprises: circuitry for accepting an indication of apredetermined elapsed time that causes the mobile device to initiate atleast one reduced power mode.
 9. The system of claim 3, whereincircuitry for reducing power to one or more portions of the mobiledevice associated with accepting mobile device location queries, whereinthe circuitry for reducing power is configured to reduce power duringany period outside of one or more predetermined time periods associatedwith accepting mobile device location queries comprises: circuitry forterminating at least one application.
 10. The system of claim 9, whereincircuitry for terminating at least one application comprises: circuitryfor terminating at least one of a texting program, an email program, aninternet browser, or a wireless link.
 11. The system of claim 3, furthercomprising: circuitry for receiving one or more mobile device locationqueries, the one or more mobile device location queries receivable onlyduring the one or more predetermined time periods associated with mobiledevice location queries.
 12. The system of claim 3, wherein circuitryfor presenting an indication of location of the mobile device at leastpartially based on accepting a mobile device location query during atleast one predetermined time period associated with accepting mobiledevice location queries comprises: circuitry for presenting anindication of location of the mobile device at least partially based onaccepting a location query for at least one of a cell phone, asmartphone, a portable media player, or a tablet computer.
 13. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein circuitry for reducing power to one or moreportions of the mobile device associated with accepting mobile devicelocation queries, wherein the circuitry for reducing power is configuredto reduce power during any period outside of one or more predeterminedtime periods associated with accepting mobile device location queriescomprises: circuitry for utilizing low power digital signal processing.14. The system of claim 13, wherein circuitry for utilizing low powerdigital signal processing comprises: circuitry for at least one ofdetecting a low-power status of a battery of the mobile device oraccepting an indication to enter at least one of a hibernation mode, apartial hibernation mode, or another power-saving mode.
 15. The systemof claim 3, wherein circuitry for presenting an indication of locationof the mobile device at least partially based on accepting a mobiledevice location query during at least one predetermined time periodassociated with accepting mobile device location queries comprises:circuitry for presenting an indication of location of the mobile deviceat least partially based on accepting a mobile device location query ata predetermined time interval.
 16. The system of claim 3, whereincircuitry for presenting an indication of location of the mobile deviceat least partially based on accepting a mobile device location queryduring at least one predetermined time period associated with acceptingmobile device location queries comprises: circuitry for presenting anindication of location of the mobile device at least partially based onaccepting a mobile device location query using speech signal processing.17. The system of claim 16, wherein circuitry for presenting anindication of location of the mobile device at least partially based onaccepting a mobile device location query using speech signal processingcomprises: circuitry for presenting an indication of location of themobile device at least partially based on accepting a mobile devicelocation query using at least one of speech recognition, voicerecognition, or using a voice user interface.
 18. The system of claim 3,wherein circuitry for presenting an indication of location of the mobiledevice at least partially based on accepting a mobile device locationquery during at least one predetermined time period associated withaccepting mobile device location queries comprises: circuitry forpresenting a sound that indicates location of the mobile device.
 19. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein circuitry for prolonging at least oneduration for a mobile device to be capable of accepting a mobile devicelocation query comprises: circuitry for prolonging the at least oneduration at least partially based on determining at least one period ofinactivity of the mobile device.
 20. The system of claim 3, whereincircuitry for prolonging at least one duration for a mobile device to becapable of accepting a mobile device location query comprises: circuitryfor prolonging the at least one duration at least partially based ondetermining at least one period that has passed without any activity ofthe mobile device, the at least one period without any activityincluding one or more of at least one period without any phone calls, atleast one period without any data messages, or at least one periodwithout any SMS messages.
 21. The system of claim 19, wherein circuitryfor prolonging the at least one duration at least partially based ondetermining at least one period of inactivity of the mobile devicecomprises: circuitry for prolonging the at least one duration at leastpartially based on determining at least one period of inactivity of themobile device via one or more of at least one accelerometer of themobile device or at least one timer of the mobile device.
 22. A system,comprising: circuitry for determining one or more periods of inactivityof a mobile device; circuitry for initiating at least one reduced powermode of the mobile device and accepting a mobile device location queryusing digital signal processing at least partially based on at least onedetermined period of inactivity; and circuitry for presenting at leasttwo indications of location of the mobile device via at least two meansfor communication at least partially based on receiving the locationquery, wherein at least one of the at least two indications includes abackup means for presenting an indication of location of the mobiledevice.
 23. A system, comprising: circuitry for determining one or moreperiods of inactivity of a mobile device; circuitry for initiating atleast one reduced power mode of the mobile device and accepting a mobiledevice location query using digital signal processing at least partiallybased on at least one determined period of inactivity; and circuitry forpresenting an indication of location of the mobile device at leastpartially based on receiving the location query including at leastcircuitry for presenting at least one indication of at least one WiFirouter with which the mobile device is associated via at least one WiFiconnection of the mobile device.
 24. The system of claim 3, whereincircuitry for prolonging at least one duration for a mobile device to becapable of accepting a mobile device location query comprises: circuitryfor determining one or more of at least one period in which a mobiledevice has not been moved, at least one period of low processor usage ofthe mobile device, at least one low-power status of the battery of themobile device, at least one period in which the mobile device has notinitiated or received a phone call, at least one period in which themobile device has not sent or received a text message, at least oneperiod in which the mobile device has not sent or received an SMSmessage, at least one period in which the mobile device has nottransmitted or received any network data, or at least one period inwhich the mobile device has not transmitted or received any wirelessdata.
 25. The system of claim 3, wherein circuitry for presenting anindication of location of the mobile device at least partially based onaccepting a mobile device location query during at least onepredetermined time period associated with accepting mobile devicelocation queries comprises: circuitry for presenting an indication oflocation of the mobile device at least partially based on accepting amobile device location query, the mobile device location query includingat least one indication of at least one signal sent by an infraredtransmitter associated with at least one of a Wii remote, a videogamesystem, a television remote control, a STB remote control, a DVD playerremote control, a remote control associated with a consumer electronicsdevice, or another mobile device.
 26. The system of claim 3, whereincircuitry for presenting an indication of location of the mobile deviceat least partially based on accepting a mobile device location queryduring at least one predetermined time period associated with acceptingmobile device location queries comprises: circuitry for presenting anindication of location of the mobile device at least partially based onaccepting a mobile device location query, the mobile device locationquery including at least one indication of at least one of a Bluetoothor Wi-Fi signal.
 27. The system of claim 3, wherein circuitry forpresenting an indication of location of the mobile device at leastpartially based on accepting a mobile device location query during atleast one predetermined time period associated with accepting mobiledevice location queries comprises: circuitry for presenting anindication of location of the mobile device via at least one of themobile device emitting an audible sound, the mobile device altering adisplay element of the mobile device, the mobile device at least one ofactivating or deactivating at least one light of the mobile device, themobile device activating vibration circuitry of the mobile device, themobile device sending at least one signal via at least one networkconnection, or the mobile device sending at least one signal wirelessly.28. The system of claim 3, wherein circuitry for prolonging at least oneduration for a mobile device to be capable of accepting a mobile devicelocation query comprises: circuitry for prolonging at least one durationfor a mobile device to be capable of accepting a mobile device locationquery at least partially based on one or more predetermined timeperiods, the one or more predetermined time periods configured at leastpartially via at least one network connection of the mobile device. 29.The system of claim 3, wherein circuitry for prolonging at least oneduration for a mobile device to be capable of accepting a mobile devicelocation query comprises: circuitry for prolonging at least one durationfor a mobile device to be capable of accepting a mobile device locationquery at least partially based on one or more predetermined timeperiods, the one or more predetermined time periods configured at leastpartially at least one user interface of the mobile device.
 30. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein circuitry for prolonging at least oneduration for a mobile device to be capable of accepting a mobile devicelocation query comprises: circuitry for accepting a query regardinglocation at a specific time.
 31. The system of claim 3, whereincircuitry for prolonging at least one duration for a mobile device to becapable of accepting a mobile device location query comprises: circuitryfor prolonging at least one duration for a mobile device to be capableof accepting a mobile device location query at least partially viaaccepting the mobile device location query at a specific time period asthe one or more predetermined time periods.
 32. The system of claim 3,wherein circuitry for restoring power to one or more portions of themobile device associated with accepting mobile device location queries,wherein the circuitry for restoring power is configured to restore powerduring the one or more predetermined time periods associated withaccepting mobile device location queries comprises: circuitry forreturning the system from a hibernation mode and readying the system toreceive a query at a specified time.
 33. The system of claim 32, furthercomprising: circuitry for, if a query is not received within at leastone predetermined time period, reducing power at least partially viareturning the system to a hibernation mode.
 34. The system of claim 3,wherein circuitry for restoring power to one or more portions of themobile device associated with accepting mobile device location queries,wherein the circuitry for restoring power is configured to restore powerduring the one or more predetermined time periods associated withaccepting mobile device location queries comprises: circuitry forreturning the system from a hibernation mode and readying the system toreceive a query at a specified time at which at least one predeterminedtime period may begin.
 35. The system of claim 3, wherein the circuitryfor prolonging at least one duration for a mobile device to be capableof accepting a mobile device location query, including at least thecircuitry for reducing power to one or more portions of the mobiledevice associated with accepting mobile device location queries, whereinthe circuitry for reducing power is configured to reduce power duringany period outside of one or more predetermined time periods associatedwith accepting mobile device location queries and the circuitry forrestoring power to one or more portions of the mobile device associatedwith accepting mobile device location queries, wherein the circuitry forrestoring power is configured to restore power during the one or morepredetermined time periods associated with accepting mobile devicelocation queries, and the circuitry for presenting an indication oflocation of the mobile device at least partially based on accepting amobile device location query during at least one predetermined timeperiod associated with accepting mobile device location queries areeffected in the mobile device.
 36. The system of claim 3, wherein atleast a portion of the circuitry for prolonging at least one durationfor a mobile device to be capable of accepting a mobile device locationquery, including at least the circuitry for reducing power to one ormore portions of the mobile device associated with accepting mobiledevice location queries, wherein the circuitry for reducing power isconfigured to reduce power during any period outside of one or morepredetermined time periods associated with accepting mobile devicelocation queries and the circuitry for restoring power to one or moreportions of the mobile device associated with accepting mobile devicelocation queries, wherein the circuitry for restoring power isconfigured to restore power during the one or more predetermined timeperiods associated with accepting mobile device location queries, or thecircuitry for presenting an indication of location of the mobile deviceat least partially based on accepting a mobile device location queryduring at least one predetermined time period associated with acceptingmobile device location queries is effected using digital signalprocessing.
 37. The system of claim 3, wherein circuitry for reducingpower to one or more portions of the mobile device associated withaccepting mobile device location queries, wherein the circuitry forreducing power is configured to reduce power during any period outsideof one or more predetermined time periods associated with acceptingmobile device location queries comprises: circuitry for causing at leastone network interface of the mobile device to enter at least onelow-power state during any period outside of one or more predeterminedtime periods associated with accepting mobile device location queries.38. The system of claim 3, wherein circuitry for prolonging at least oneduration for a mobile device to be capable of accepting a mobile devicelocation query comprises: circuitry for detecting at least one low-powerstatus of at least one battery of the mobile device; and circuitry forsignaling to reduce power to one or more portions of the mobile deviceassociated with accepting mobile device location queries.
 39. The systemof claim 3, wherein circuitry for prolonging at least one duration for amobile device to be capable of accepting a mobile device location querycomprises: circuitry for prolonging at least one time until at least onebattery of the mobile device is at least one of completely discharged,needs to be replaced, or needs to be recharged.